Derived Plugs
A number of widely used plugs are based on combining 2 or more banana plugs with a plastic handle and other features for ease of use and to prevent accidental insertion in other such plugs. Many of these plugs are derived from the double banana plug consisting simply of two banana plugs spaced 3/4 inch (about 19mm) apart.
US-style double banana (pictured): A plastic housing containing two banana plugs, allowing simultaneous connection of a signal line and a ground (earth) line; see the photo. The housing may allow the connection of individual wires, a permanently attached coaxial cable providing both signal and ground, or a coaxial connector such as the BNC connector shown in the photo. By convention, multiple full-sized banana connectors are spaced on ¾ inch centers.
Older European audio equipment used double banana plugs with a 3rd center pin (round 4mm banana for speakers, 4 mm banana or flat pin for turntable to amplifier connection) for audio signals. The center pin prevents accidental insertion in mains sockets, except the Italian "type L" socket.
Some specialized multi-pin plugs and sockets consist of 5 or more banana plugs arranged in a circle.
Read more about this topic: Banana Connector
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